Glow in the dark absorbent article

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an article to be worn about a wearer including features that glow in the dark, are illuminative, are light emitting, or are reflective. Theses features may assist in the identification, location, entertainment, or changing of the wearer, as well as assist in the location of a fresh diaper for changing in a low light environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of International ApplicationPCT/US01/25986 filed on Aug. 20, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/231,603, filed Sep. 11,2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to an absorbent article withglow in the dark indicia features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Absorbent articles for personal care products such as diapers arewidely used consumer products. The major function of diapers and otherabsorbent articles is to prevent bodily waste from soiling, wetting, orotherwise contaminating clothing or other articles, such as bedding. Thelarge demand for such products has inspired manufacturers to provideimproved versions of the products. In the past considerable effort hasbeen made to increase the comfort and performance of absorbent articlessuch as diapers. Effort has also been made to improve the visual appealand use of absorbent articles by the consumer.

[0004] Absorbent articles often incorporate features to either assistthe caregiver fitting the article to a wearer, or provide an appearancethat is aesthetically pleasing. Further, absorbent articles,particularly diapers, are often changed by a caregiver in a low light ordimly lit environment in order to minimize the disturbance to thewearer. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a productincorporating features that generates appeal to the wearer. Theilluminative substance may optionally providing a useful function forthe person fitting or removing the article from the wearer, particularlyin a low light environment.

[0005] One desirable advantage of the present invention is to provide anabsorbent article having useful illuminative properties whichparticularly include a visible surface that glows in the dark. Thesurface may be fully illuminative, partially illuminative, or containilluminative designs or indicia. Yet another desirable characteristic ofthe Applicant's invention is to provide illuminative designs toentertain small children. Another desirable characteristic may be toassist the caregiver in providing care in a low light environment.Another desirable characteristic of the Applicant's invention may be oprovide an illuminative absorbent article that may be easily andefficiently manufactured and marketed. It is a further desirablecharacteristic of the present invention to provide a new cost effectiveilluminative absorbent article which is of a durable and reliableconstruction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides an absorbent article such as adiaper comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent coreinterposed between the topsheet and the backsheet including at least oneilluminative substance. The illuminative substance used may bephosphorescent, fluorescent, reflective, or other illuminative type asdisclosed herein. The illuminative substance may enhance the appearanceof the article and/or assist in the application and removal of thearticle from the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention is hereinafter fully described and claimed. Theaccompanying drawings and the following disclosure describe in detailthe invention. Such drawings and disclosure illustrate but one of thevarious ways in which the invention may be practiced. These and otherfeatures, aspects and advantages of the present invention as describedand claimed will become better understood with the accompanying drawingswhere:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article of the presentinvention having a portion cut away to reveal a possible underlyingstructure, the body-facing surface of the article facing the viewer.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a view of an absorbent article outer-surface with alanding zone.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a view of an absorbent article backsheet and optionaladditional second sheet of material interface and structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is intended to provide a new absorbentarticle including glow in the dark features that exhibit decorativeand/or functional attributes. The glow in the dark features describedherein are equally applicable to absorbent articles such as trainingpants, adult incontinence products, or a preferred embodiment, diapers.

[0012] As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to deviceswhich absorb and contain body exudates and, more specifically, refers todevices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody. The term “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbentarticles which generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwiserestored or reused as absorbent articles (i.e., they are intended to bediscarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, compostedor otherwise discarded in an environmentally compatible manner). A“unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which areformed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity sothat they do not require separate manipulative parts like a separateholder and/or liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article ofthe present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article,diaper 20, shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term “diaper” refers toan absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent personsabout the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to otherabsorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinenceundergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper holders and liners, femininehygiene garments, wipes, mops, bandages and the like.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention ina flat-out, state with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of thediaper 20 which faces the wearer is oriented towards the viewer. Asshown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid pervioustopsheet 24; a liquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28which is preferably positioned between at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs32; an elastic waist feature 34; and a fastening system generallydesignated 40. The diaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 to have a first waistregion 36, a second waist region 38 opposed to the first waist region 36and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region 36 and thesecond waist region 38. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by theouter edges of the diaper 20 in which longitudinal edges 50 rungenerally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20and end edges 52 run between the longitudinal edges 50 generallyparallel to the lateral centerline 110 of the diaper 20.

[0014] The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of thediaper 20. The chassis 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbentcore 28 and preferably an outer covering including the topsheet 24and/or the backsheet 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separateholder and a liner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the holder andthe liner. (For example, the holder may comprise one or more layers ofmaterial to form the outer cover of the article and the liner maycomprise an absorbent assembly including a topsheet, a backsheet, and anabsorbent core. In such cases, the holder and/or the liner may include afastening element which is used to hold the liner in place throughoutthe time of use.) For unitary absorbent articles, the chassis 22comprises the main structure of the diaper with other features added toform the composite diaper structure. While the topsheet 24, thebacksheet 26, and the absorbent core 26 may be assembled in a variety ofwell known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are describedgenerally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled “Contractible SidePortions for Disposable Diaper” issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14,1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; and U.S. Pat. No.5,554,145 entitled “Absorbent Article With Multiple Zone StructuralElastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature” issued to Roe et al. onSep. 10, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234 entitled “Disposable Pull-OnPant” issued to Buell et al. on Oct. 29, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,411entitled “Zero Scrap Method For Manufacturing Side Panels For AbsorbentArticles” issued to Nease et al. on Dec. 3, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No.6,004,306 entitled “Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional ExtensibleSide Panels” issued to Robles et al. on Dec. 21, 1999; each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

[0015] The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20positioned adjacent garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28which prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soilingarticles which may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets andundergarments. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is imperviousto liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as athermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) toabout 0.051 mm (2.0 mils).

[0016] Suitable backsheet films include those manufactured by TredegarIndustries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade namesX15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials mayinclude breathable materials which permit vapors to escape from thediaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through thebacksheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials suchas woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coatednonwoven webs, microporous films such as manufactured by Mitsui ToatsuCo., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by Exxon Chemical Co.,of Bay City, Tex., under the designation EXXAIRE, and monolithic filmssuch as manufactured by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under thename HYTREL blend P18-3097. Some breathable composite materials aredescribed in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746 publishedon Jun. 22, 1995 in the name of E. I. DuPont; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,648issued on Aug. 17, 1999 to LaVon et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,823 issuedon Feb. 2, 1999 in the name of Curro; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096 issuedto Dobrin et al. on Nov. 5, 1996. Each of these references is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

[0017] The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elasticallyextensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet26 may comprise a structural elastic-like film (“SELF”) web. Astructural elastic-like film web is an extensible material that exhibitsan elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the useof added elastic materials and is described in more detail in U.S. Pat.No. 5,518,801 entitled “Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior”issued to Chappell, et al. on May 21, 1996, and which is incorporatedherein by reference. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 maycomprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these orother suitable materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

[0018] The backsheet 26 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbentcore 28 or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment meansknown in the art. (As used herein, the term “joined” encompassesconfigurations whereby an element is directly secured to another elementby affixing the element directly to the other element, andconfigurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to anotherelement by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turnare affixed to the other element.) For example, the attachment means mayinclude a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer ofadhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive.One preferred attachment means comprises an open pattern network offilaments of adhesive as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled“Disposable Waste-Containment Garment”, which issued to Minetola et al.on Mar. 4, 1986. Other suitable attachment means include several linesof adhesive filaments which are swirled into a spiral pattern, as isillustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No.4,785,996 issued to Ziecker, et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No.4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on Jun. 27, 1989. Each of these patents isincorporated herein by reference. Adhesives which have been found to besatisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn.and marketed as HL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the attachmentmeans may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinationsof these attachment means as are known in the art.

[0019] The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent body surface 47of the absorbent core 28 and may be joined thereto and/or to thebacksheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art. Suitableattachment means are described above with respect to means for joiningthe backsheet 26 to other elements of the diaper 20. In one preferredembodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet26 are joined directly to each other in some locations and areindirectly joined together in other locations by directly joining themto one or more other elements of the diaper 20.

[0020] The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 is liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from awide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams,apertured plastic films, or woven or nonwoven materials of naturalfibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyesteror polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and syntheticfibers. If the topsheet 24 includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbond,carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed asis known in the art. One suitable topsheet 24 comprising a web ofstaple-length polypropylene fibers is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., aDivision of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass. under thedesignation P-8.

[0021] Suitable formed film topsheets are described in U.S. Pat. No.3,929,135, entitled “Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries”issued to Thompson on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246 entitled“Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet” issuedto Mullane, et al. on Apr. 13, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314 entitled“Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties” issued toRadel, et al. on August 3, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045 entitled“Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web ExhibitingNon-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression” issued toAhr, et al. on Jul. 31, 1984; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394 “MultilayerPolymeric Film” issued to Baird on Apr. 9, 1991. Other suitabletopsheets 30 may be made in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,518 and4,629,643 issued to Curro et al. on Sep. 2, 1986 and Dec. 16, 1986,respectively, and both of which are incorporated herein by reference.Such formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company ofCincinnati, Ohio as “DRI-WEAVE” and from Tredegar Corporation of TerreHaute, Ind. as “CLIFF-T.”

[0022] Preferably, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is made of ahydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolatethe wearer's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 28. Ifthe topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least aportion of the upper surface of the topsheet 24 is treated to behydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through the topsheet morerapidly. The topsheet 24 can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it witha surfactant or by incorporating a surfactant into the topsheet.Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant includespraying the topsheet 24 material with the surfactant and/or immersingthe material into the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such atreatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,344entitled “Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers”issued to Reising, et al. on Jan. 29, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,345entitled “Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores”issued to Reising on Jan. 29, 1991. A more detailed discussion of somesuitable methods for incorporating a surfactant in the topsheet 24 canbe found in U.S. Statutory Invention Registration No. H1670 published onJul. 1, 1997 in the names of Aziz et al. Each of these references ishereby incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the topsheet 24may include an apertured web or film which is hydrophobic. This may beaccomplished by eliminating the hydrophilizing treatment step from theproduction process and/or applying a hydrophobic treatment to thetopsheet 24, such as a polytetraflouroethylene compound like SCOTCHGUARDor a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In suchembodiments, it is preferred that the apertures be large enough to allowthe penetration of aqueous fluids like urine without significantresistance.

[0023] Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion as isknown in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,607,760 entitled “Disposable Absorbent ArticleHaving A Lotioned Topsheet Containing an Emollient and a PolyolPolyester Immobilizing Agent” issued to Roe on Mar. 4, 1997; U.S. Pat.No. 5,609,587 entitled “Diaper Having A Lotion Topsheet Comprising ALiquid Polyol Polyester Emollient And An Immobilizing Agent” issued toRoe on Mar. 11, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,191 entitled “Diaper Having ALotioned Topsheet Containing A Polysiloxane Emollient” issued to Roe etal. on Jun. 3, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,588 entitled “Diaper Having ALotioned Topsheet” issued to Roe et al. on Jul. 1, 1997; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,968,025 entitled “Absorbent Article Having a Lotioned Topsheet”issued to Roe et al. on Oct. 19, 1999. The lotion may function alone orin combination with another agent as the hydrophobizing treatmentdescribed above. The topsheet 24 may also include or be treated withantibacterial agents, some examples of which are disclosed in PCTPublication No. WO 95/24173 entitled “Absorbent Articles ContainingAntibacterial Agents in the Topsheet For Odor Control” which waspublished on Sep. 14, 1995 in the name of Theresa Johnson. Further, thetopsheet 24, the backsheet 26 or any portion of the topsheet orbacksheet may be embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more clothlike appearance.

[0024] The topsheet 24 may comprise one or more apertures 80 to easepenetration of exudates therethrough, such as urine and/or feces (solid,semi-solid, or liquid). The size of at least the primary aperture 80 isimportant in achieving the desired waste encapsulation performance. Ifthe primary aperture 80 is too small, the waste may not pass through theaperture, either due to poor alignment of the waste source and theaperture location or due to fecal masses having a diameter greater thanthe aperture 80. If the aperture 80 is too large, the area of skin thatmay be contaminated by “rewet” from the article is increased. Typically,the aperture 80 should have an area of between about 10 cm² and about 50cm². The aperture 80 preferably has an area of between about 15 cm² and35 cm².

[0025] Further, the topsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticated ormay be foreshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet24 and the core 28. Exemplary structures including elasticized orforeshortened topsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.4,892,536 issued to DesMarais et al. on Jan. 9, 1990 entitled “AbsorbentArticle Having Elastic Strands”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147 issued toFreeland on Feb. 5, 1991 entitled “Absorbent Article With Elastic LinerFor Waste Material Isolation”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,416 issued to Allenet al. on Aug. 6, 1991 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article HavingElastically Extensible Topsheet”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,775 issued toFreeland et al. on Dec. 14, 1993 entitled “Trisection Topsheets ForDisposable Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles HavingSuch Trisection Topsheets”; each of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

[0026] The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material whichis generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer'sskin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine andother certain body exudates. The absorbent core 28 may be manufacturedin a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass,“T”-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and may comprise a wide variety ofliquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and otherabsorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generallyreferred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materialsinclude creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform;chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers;tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials.

[0027] The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 mayalso be varied (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbentstructure(s) may have varying caliper zones, hydrophilic gradient(s), asuperabsorbent gradient(s), or lower average density and lower averagebasis weight acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers orstructures). Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbentcore 28 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled “High-DensityAbsorbent Structures” issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S.Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores”issued to Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735entitled “High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and LowerBasis Weight Acquisition Zones” issued to Alemany et al. on May 30,1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231 entitled “Absorbent Core Having A DustingLayer” issued to Angstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537entitled “Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, PolycarboxylicAcid Crosslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers” issued to Herron et al. onAug. 11, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 entitled “High EfficiencyAbsorbent Articles For Incontinence Management” issued to Young et al.on Sep. 15, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,338 entitled “Disposable AbsorbentArticle For Low-Viscosity Fecal Material” issued to Roe on Aug. 30,1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,345 entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials ForAqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing Such Materials”issued to DesMarais et al. on Nov. 9, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,207entitled “Thin-Until-Wet Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous BodyFluids And Process For Making Same” issued to Dyer et al. on Feb. 7,1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,222 entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials ForAqueous Fluids Made From High Internal Phase Emulsions Having Very HighWater-To-Oil Ratios” issued to DesMarais et al. on Jul. 22, 1997. Eachof these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] The diaper 20 may also include a sublayer disposed between thetopsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. (As used herein, the term “disposed”is used to mean that an element(s) of the diaper is formed (joined andpositioned) in a particular place or position as a unitary structurewith other elements of the diaper or as a separate element joined toanother element of the diaper.) The sublayer may be any material orstructure capable of accepting, storing or immobilizing bodily exudates.Thus, the sublayer may include a single material or a number ofmaterials operatively associated with each other. Further, the sublayermay be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one ormore separate elements joined directly or indirectly with one or moreelements of the diaper 20. Further, the sublayer may include a structurethat is separate from the core 28 or may include or be part of at leasta portion of the core 28.

[0029] Suitable materials for use as the sublayer may include large cellopen foams, macroporous compression resistant nonwoven highlofts, largesize particulate forms of open and closed cell foams (macro and/ormicroporous), highloft nonwovens, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethanefoams or particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of verticallyoriented looped strands of fibers, absorbent core structures describedabove having punched holes or depressions, and the like. (As usedherein, the term “microporous” refers to materials which are capable oftransporting fluids by capillary action. The term “macroporous” refersto materials having pores too large to effect capillary transport offluid, generally having pores greater than about 0.5 mm in diameter and,more specifically, having pores greater than about 1.0 mm in diameter.)One embodiment of a sublayer includes a mechanical fastening looplanding element, having an uncompressed thickness of about 1.5millimeters available as XPL-7124 from the 3M Corporation ofMinneapolis, Minn. Another embodiment includes a 6 denier, crimped andresin-bonded nonwoven highloft having a basis weight of 110 grams persquare meter and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 millimeters which isavailable from the Glit Company of Wrens, Ga. Other suitable absorbentand nonabsorbent sublayers are described in European Patent ApplicationNo. EP 0 847 738 A1 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article HavingCapacity to Store Low-Viscosity Fecal Material” published Jun. 17, 1998in the name of Roe and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,864 entitled “DisposableAbsorbent Article Having Improved Fecal Storage” issued to Roe on Aug.24, 199, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.Further, the sublayer, or any portion thereof, may include or be coatedwith a lotion or other known substances to add, enhance or change theperformance or other characteristics of the element.

[0030] The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one elastic waistfeature 34 that helps to provide improved fit and containment. Theelastic waist feature 34 is generally intended to elastically expand andcontract to dynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waistfeature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from atleast one waist edge 62 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms atleast a portion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapersare often constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, onepositioned in the first waist region 36 and one positioned in the secondwaist region 38. Further, while the elastic waist feature 34 or any ofits constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elementsaffixed to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 may beconstructed as an extension of other elements of the diaper 20, such asthe backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and thetopsheet 24.

[0031] The elastic waist feature 34 may be constructed in a number ofdifferent configurations including those described in U.S. Pat. No.4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Pat. No.4,710,189 issued to Lash on Dec. 1, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5, 151,092issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued toBuell on Jun. 22, 1993. Other suitable waist configurations may includewaistcap features such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,364issued to Robertson on Jun. 25, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,025 issuedto Foreman on Mar. 28, 1989. All of the above mentioned references areincorporated herein by reference.

[0032] The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. Thefastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 andthe second waist region 38 in a configuration so as to provide lateraltensions about the circumference of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20on the wearer. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises a surfacefastener such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components and/orhermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fasteningmeans are generally acceptable. Some exemplary surface fastening systemsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 entitled “Tape Fastening Systemfor Disposable Diaper” issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; U.S. Pat. No.B1 4,662,875 entitled “Absorbent Article” issued to Hirotsu et al. onMay 5, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,815 entitled “Disposable Diaper HavingAn Improved Fastening Device” issued to Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989; U.S.Pat. No. 4,894,060 entitled “Disposable Diaper With Improved HookFastener Portion” issued to Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Pat. No.4,946,527 entitled “Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener And Method ofMaking Same” issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1-990; the herein beforereferenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993. An exemplaryinterlocking fastening system is disclosed in co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/143,184 entitled “Absorbent Article FasteningDevice” in the names of Kline et al. filed on Aug. 8, 1998. Thefastening system 40 may also provide a means for holding the article ina disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140 issuedto Robertson et al. on Oct. 16, 1990. The fastening system may alsoinclude primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,699,622 entitled “Disposable Diaper Having An Improved SideClosure” issued to Toussant et al. on Oct. 13, 1987. to reduce shiftingof overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,242,436 entitled “Absorbent Article With Fastening System ProvidingDynamic Elasticized Waistband Fit” issued to Weil et al. on Sep. 7,1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,978 entitled “Absorbent Article With DynamicElastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge”issued to Buell et al. on Mar. 19, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,736entitled “Absorbent Article With Dynamic Elastic Waist FeatureComprising An Expansive Tummy Panel” issued to Clear et al. on Apr. 16,1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,152 entitled “Absorbent Article With DynamicElastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge”issued to Buell et al. on Jan. 7, 1997. Each of these patents and theco-pending application are incorporated herein by reference. Inalternative embodiments, opposing sides of the article may be seamed orwelded to form a pant. This allows the article to be used as a pull-ontype diaper, such as a training pant.

[0033] The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels30 may be elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable andcontouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper 20 to thewearer and sustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well pastwhen the diaper 20 has been loaded with exudates since the elasticizedside panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract.The side panels 30 may also provide more effective application of thediaper 20 because even if the diaperer pulls one elasticized side panel30 farther than the other during application, the diaper 20 will“self-adjust” during wear.

[0034] While the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has theside panels 30 disposed in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 maybe provided with side panels 30 disposed in the first waist region 36 orin both the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. Theside panels 30 may be constructed in any suitable configurations.Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,857,067, entitled “Disposable Diaper Having Shirred Ears”issued to Wood, et al. on Aug. 15, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,781 issuedto Sciaraffa, et al. on May 3, 1983; U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753 issued toVan Gompel, et al. on Jul. 3, 1990; the herein before referenced U.S.Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,897 issuedto LaVon, et al. on Sep. 23, 1997 entitled “Absorbent Articles ProvidingSustained Dynamic Fit”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306 entitled “AbsorbentArticle With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels” issued to Robleset al. on Dec. 21, 1999; each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

[0035] The diaper 20 preferably further includes leg cuffs 32 whichprovide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Legcuffs 32 may also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barriercuffs, or elastic cuffs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposablediaper which provides a contractible leg opening having a side flap andone or more elastic members to provide an elasticized leg cuff (agasketing cuff). U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Azizet al. on Feb. 28, 1989 and Mar. 20, 1990, respectively, describedisposable diapers having “stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs)which improve the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. Nos.4,695,278 and 4,795,454 issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987 and to Dragooon Jan. 3, 1989, respectively, describe disposable diapers having dualcuffs, including gasketing cuffs and barrier cuffs. In some embodiments,it may be desirable to treat all or a portion of the leg cuffs 32 with alotion, as described above.

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets forreceiving and containing waste, spacers which provide voids for waste,barriers for limiting the movement of waste in the article, compartmentsor voids which accept and contain waste materials deposited in thediaper 20, and the like, or any combinations thereof. Examples ofpockets and spacers for use in absorbent products are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. on May 7, 1996, entitled “DiaperHaving Expulsive Spacer”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,236 issued to Dreier etal. on Dec. 15, 1992 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having CoreSpacers”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,318 issued to Dreier on Mar. 14, 1995entitled “Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff”; U.S. Pat. No.5,540,671 issued to Dreier on Jul. 30, 1996 entitled “Absorbent ArticleHaving A Pocket Cuff With An Apex”; PCT Application WO 93/25172published Dec. 3, 1993 entitled “Spacers For Use In Hygienic AbsorbentArticles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Spacer”; U.S.Pat. No. 5,306,266 entitled “Flexible Spacers For Use In DisposableAbsorbent Articles” issued to Freeland on Apr. 26, 1994; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,997,520 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article With SelectivelyExpandable or Inflatable Component” issued to Ahr et al. on Dec. 7,1999. Examples of compartments or voids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,968,312 entitled “Disposable Fecal Compartmenting Diaper” issued toKhan on Nov. 6, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147 entitled “AbsorbentArticle With Elastic Liner For Waste Material Isolation” issued toFreeland on Feb. 5, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,840, entitled “DisposableDiapers” issued to Holt et al on Nov. 5, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No.5,269,755 entitled “Trisection Topsheets For Disposable AbsorbentArticles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such TrisectionTopsheets” issued to Freeland et al on Dec. 14, 1993. Examples ofsuitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,142entitled “Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective Height TransversePartition” issued Sep. 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al.; PCT PatentWO 94/14395 entitled “Absorbent Article Having An Upstanding TransversePartition” published Jul. 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland, et al.; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,653,703 Absorbent Article Having Angular UpstandingTransverse Partition issued Aug. 5, 1997 to Roe, et al. Examples ofother structures especially suitable for management of low viscosityfeces are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,864 issued to Roe et al. onAug. 24, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,430 issued to Roe et al. on Nov. 2,1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,063 issued to Roe et al. on Jan. 11, 2000.All of the above-cited references are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

[0037] The absorbent article of the present invention may also at leastone illuminative substance. For example, the illuminative substance maybe a fluorescent substance, or a phosphorescent substance, or areflective substance which glows in the dark or is reflective. Theilluminative substance may be disposed on an absorbent article surfaceor incorporated into any material used in the absorbent article.

[0038] Possible applications of the illuminative substance may includehelping the caregiver in locating or identifying the wearer. Theilluminative substance may also assist the caregiver in fastening thearticle about the wearer. For example, the illuminative substance mayaid in the engaging and disengaging of fasteners, as well as aligningthe article with the wearer during fitting. In one embodiment theabsorbent article may comprise a first waist region 36 or second waistregion 38 which contain one or more illuminative substances. Forembodiments including leg cuffs 32, the leg cuffs 32 may include one ormore illuminative substances. Further, any part of the fastening system40 may also include one or more illuminative substances. In oneembodiment, one or more of the fastening tabs, landing zone 70, or both,may comprise one or more illuminative substances.

[0039] The illuminative substance may comprise any suitable materialwhich glows or is reflective in a low light environment. Low lightenvironments may vary from less than typical visible ambient light to asubstantially dark environment. Examples of the illuminative substanceinclude phosphorescent, long after glow phosphorescent, reflective,light emitter, or fluorescent substances. The illuminative substance maybe for example a polycrystalline inorganic zinc sulphide which cancreate a green illumination or an alkaline earth sulphide which cancreate a red or blue illumination. In one embodiment the illuminativesubstance may further may be a Safe-Glo (TM) or premium Sparkle-Glo (TM)film available from Coburn Corp. in New Jersey, or any of a family ofphoto-chemical compounds. Global Trade Alliance, Inc. in Arizona alsoprovides a series of phosphorescent substances that result in differentcolors and are considered a long after glow phosphorescent. Commercialexamples include PLO-7, PLO-6, PLO-4, PLB-7, PLB-6, SBG-8, SB-8, RR-7,RO-7, PLR-4, PLY-4, PLG-4, PLB-4. LUMI long afterglow photoluminescentpigment is an example of a new type of long decay phosphor that may alsobe used. The illuminative substance is also available from Global TradeAlliance in Arizona. Other suppliers of suitable illuminative substanceinclude Crystal Print Inc.

[0040] The absorbent article may also comprise two or more illuminativesubstances having contrasting illuminative properties. The contrast maybe created by combining any of the above substances e.g. phosphorescentand fluorescent. Alternatively contrast may be created by using twodifferent illuminative substances, using two or more differentbrightnesses of the same illuminative substance, using different colorsof illuminative substance, or by varying the application of theilluminative substance.

[0041] The illuminative substance may be included on any surface of theabsorbent article. For example, the illuminative substance may be coatedon the backsheet outer-surface 261, the outermost surface of a secondsheet of material 701 attached to the backsheet outer-surface 261, theinnermost surface 702 of an additional second sheet of material 70, oranyplace else desired. Alternatively, the illuminative substance may becontained within any material which makes up a portion of the article.For example the illuminative substance may be contained in a clear,semi-clear, or opaque material used either as a backsheet 26, or as anouter second sheet of material 70 attached to the backsheetouter-surface 261, e.g., an outer second sheet of material 70 used as afastener landing zone. In another example, the illuminative substancemay be located between the optional second sheet of materialinner-surface 702 and the backsheet outer-surface 261.

[0042] A suitable backsheet 26 may comprise a backsheet inner-surface262 which faces the absorbent core 28 and a backsheet outer-surface 261which forms all, or part of the exterior of the absorbent article. Thebacksheet outer-surface 261 may further comprise at least oneilluminative substance. The backsheet may also comprise a second sheetof material 70 on the backsheet outer-surface 261 which may serve as afastening landing zone. The landing zone 70 may have an outermostsurface 701 facing away from the article and an innermost surface 702facing the backsheet outer-surface 261. An example is shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] The backsheet 26 or second sheet of material 70 may furthercomprise indicia 77 formed by the illuminative substance. This indiciamay be most visible when illuminated by the illuminative substance in alow light environment, but may also alternatively be visible undernormal light conditions. In one alternative the absorbent article 20indicium elements are visually related to each other such that theindicium viewed under normal ambient lighting is different than whenviewed in the dark. Foe example an animals eyes may appear open duringthe day and shut at night. Alternatively, other light sources such asfor example ultraviolet light may also have the effect of changing orenhancing the indicia observed.

[0044] The absorbent article may also contain an outer second sheet ofmaterial 70 on the backsheet outer-surface 261 which is treated with anilluminative substance. The illuminative substance may be on the outersurface of the second sheet of material 701, a component of the secondsheet of material 70, or on the second sheet of material inner surface702 facing the backsheet outer surface 261. Any alternative, couldfurther include a transparent or semi-transparent component of thecovering material. The illuminative effect may be phosphorescent orfluorescent. In one embodiment the backsheet does not have a secondsheet of material 70 attached. Another embodiment would have the secondsheet of material 70 integrated into the absorbent article landing zoneattached to the backsheet 26. Still another embodiment would incorporateilluminative properties on to the absorbent article fastening tabs tofacilitate changing the article in a low light environment.

[0045] While particular embodiments and/or individual features of thepresent invention have been illustrated and described, it would beobvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Further, it should be apparent that all combinations ofsuch embodiments and features are possible and can result in preferredexecutions of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intendedto cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, abacksheet having an outer-surface; an absorbent core interposed betweenthe topsheet and the backsheet; and at least one illuminative substancedisposed on at least a portion of the absorbent article.
 2. An absorbentarticle as described in claim 1, wherein the illuminative substance isphosphorescent.
 3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, whereinthe illuminative substance is fluorescent.
 4. An absorbent article asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the illuminative substance is reflective.5. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, including at least twoilluminative substances having contrasting illuminative properties. 6.An absorbent article as in claim 1, wherein the illuminative substanceis deposited on at least a portion of the backsheet.
 7. An absorbentarticle as described in claim 1, wherein the illuminative substance isselected from the group consisting of phosphorescent, long after glowphosphorescent, and light emitters.
 8. An absorbent article as describedin claim 1, wherein the illuminative substance is selected from thegroup consisting of polycrystalline inorganic zinc sulphide and alkalineearth sulphide.
 9. An absorbent article as in claim 1, furthercomprising at least a second sheet of material attached to the backsheetouter-surface.
 10. An absorbent article as described in claim 9, whereinthe illuminative substance is located between the second sheet ofmaterial and the backsheet outer-surface.
 11. An absorbent article asdescribed in claim 9, wherein the second sheet of material is clear orsemi-clear.
 12. An absorbent article as described in claim 11, whereinthe second sheet of material has an outermost surface and an innermostsurface, the innermost surface facing the backsheet outer-surface andwherein the illuminative substance is located on the innermost surfaceof the second sheet of material.
 13. An absorbent article as describedin claim 9, wherein the second sheet of material has an outermostsurface and an innermost surface, the innermost surface facing thebacksheet outer-surface and wherein the illuminative substance islocated on the second sheet of material outermost surface.
 14. Anabsorbent article as described in claim 9, wherein the second sheet ofmaterial comprises the illuminative substance.
 15. A disposable diapercomprising a topsheet, a backsheet having an outer-surface; an absorbentcore interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and at least oneilluminative substance disposed on at least a portion of the diaper. 16.A disposable diaper as described in claim 15, wherein the backsheetincludes indicia comprising the illuminative substance.
 17. A disposablediaper as described in claim 15 further comprising an elastic waist,wherein the elastic waist comprises at least one illuminative substance.18. A disposable diaper as described in claim 15 further comprising aleg cuff, wherein the leg cuff comprises at least one illuminativesubstance.
 19. A disposable diaper as described in claim 15 furthercomprising a fastening system, wherein the fastening system comprises atleast one illuminative substance.
 20. A diaper as in claim 21, furthercomprising at least one second sheet of material attached to thebacksheet outer surface as a fastening system landing zone, wherein theilluminative substance forms indicia on the landing zone.